Hunt 1000 crosses the heart of the Australian Alps, taking riders on one of Australia’s most demanding self-supported bikepacking adventures. From Canberra to Melbourne, the route weaves together remote backcountry trails, alpine plateaus, rugged fire roads, river crossings, and native forests, showcasing the country’s finest high-country riding.
The 2026 edition covers approximately 1,000 kilometres with more than 23,000 metres of elevation gain. Starting in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, and finishing in Melbourne, Victoria, riders tackle a constantly evolving route through the Australian Alps, passing historic mountain huts, snow gum woodlands, remote campsites, and challenging hike-a-bike sections. The course is refreshed each year, ensuring every edition offers a unique adventure.
Hunt 1000 follows a strict self-supported philosophy. Riders are responsible for their own navigation, food, accommodation, and mechanical repairs, with no outside assistance permitted. Rather than a traditional race, participants choose their own departure date within the event window, with everyone aiming to reach the Grand Finish in Melbourne on the same day.
With its remote wilderness, relentless climbing, and iconic alpine scenery, Hunt 1000 has earned its reputation as Australia’s premier bikepacking challenge. It is an unforgettable journey that rewards preparation, resilience, and a true spirit of self-reliance.
Based on this event's terrain, difficulty and riding style.
Riders taking on Hunt 1000 will cover 1000 km and climb roughly 23000 m over the course of the route.
Hunt 1000's terrain calls for a Hardtail MTB, ideally running 2.2-2.4" Tubeless tires. On the drivetrain side, a 30-32T (1x) chainring matched to a 10-52T cassette gives enough range for the climbing involved.
We rate Hunt 1000 as Advanced overall. Riders should be ready for seriously technical, unforgiving terrain throughout, consistently demanding, with sustained climbing elevation gain, and mild and generally comfortable conditions.
Mark your calendar for November 21, 2026 — Hunt 1000's spring timing means when weather can still be unpredictable, so a flexible kit is worth packing.
Hunt 1000 runs primarily on off-road, and we'd recommend 2.2-2.4" Tubeless tires to handle it comfortably.